Suspended IPL chief Lalit Modi fears termination
September 29, 2010 by Trend PK
Filed under World News
MUMBAI: Suspended Indian Premier League (IPL) chief Lalit Modi will be stripped of his posts by the country’s powerful cricket board on Wednesday, an official said, capping his incredible demise.
Modi was suspended as the IPL chairman in April by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), owners of the hugely popular Twenty20 IPL tournament, following allegations of corruption, indiscipline and money-laundering.
He was also been suspended as one of the five vice-presidents of the BCCI and removed as chairman of the T20 Champions League, a separate club tournament organised jointly by India, Australia and South Africa.
The BCCI is now expected to formally remove Modi from all the posts he held at its annual general meeting in Mumbai, completing his fall from one of the most powerful world cricket figures to a tarnished outsider.
“Modi’s term in
Aamer ”cleverer than I was at 18”: Wasim
LONDON: Pakistan fast bowling great Wasim Akram believes new pace sensation Mohammad Aamer is “much cleverer than I was at 18″ after watching the teenage quick”s latest impressive Test display..
Aamer, like Wasim a left-arm seamer, took four wickets for 72 runs as he led Pakistan”s attack in the ongoing first Test against Australia here at Lord”s in his first Test at the ”home of cricket”.
After seeing Aamer wrap up Australia”s first innings on Wednesday by bowling tailender Doug Bollinger with an inswinging yorker, an admiring Wasim told media: “It was exciting to watch Aamer bowl so well at Lord”s.
“He is a special talent and has pace, nip and can swing the ball both ways which is ideal for a paceman, and augurs well for his future.
Aamer has risen by leaps and bounds to become Pakistan”s spearhead since making his debut last year and served further notice of his enormous potential with another impressive display at Lord”s.
His efforts, ably supported by pace partner Mohammad Asif (three for 63), helped a new-look Pakistan team dismiss Australia for 253 on the second day of the first of two Tests that have both been moved to England because of security fears in Pakistan.
The 18-year-old Aamer”s pace, swing and exuberance have already led experts to compare Aamer with Wasim, widely regarded as the best left-arm fast bowler ever to have played international cricket.
But Wasim said Aamer was already ahead of him in one respect.
“He is much cleverer than when I was 18,” said Wasim who took ten wickets in his only second Test, against New Zealand at Dunedin in 1984.
“Aamer has got a head start and is a quick learner, so I see no reason why he can”t go on to become a leading fast bowler.
“He is already spearheading the Pakistan pace attack and watching him bowl (on Tuesday), everything pitched up, banging in every delivery and testing the best batsmen in the world excited me no end.”
Wasim though advised Aamer to bowl closer to the stumps.
“What I noticed at Lord”s and in the series in Australia (wrapped up earlier this year where Aamer starred despite Pakistan”s 3-0 Test campaign defeat) is that he bowls wide of the crease.
“That may help the ball to come in (to right handers), but on slower tracks it won”t work, so he needs to bowl closer to the stumps,” Wasim explained.
“Some people say his physique is not that of a fast bowler, but he is only 18. He can strengthen his muscles with time and I am sure he will spend more time in the gym,” said Wasim, who took 414 Test and 502 one-day wickets — both Pakistani records.
“I have not seen him recently but I”m always happy to meet him and pass on a few tips.” Wasim hoped Aamer”s experience of England pitches with the Pakistan Under-19 team in 2007 would come in handy.
“Aamer took quite a few wickets when he toured England with the Under-19 team in 2007, so I think he will be very useful on this tour, with four Tests against England as well, and lead Pakistan to wins.”
Former Pakistan captain Ramiz Raja also praised Aamer”s progress.
“I think Aamer is more mature than Wasim at 18,” said Raja, in England as a television commentator. “Aamer”s progress augurs well for Pakistan and I hope he continues to work hard and take the Pakistan team forward.”
Aamer was on Wednesday warned about his future conduct by match referee Chris Broad after he collided with Australia captain Ricky Ponting while celebrating his wicket in the first Test at Lord”s.
Former IPL boss Modi loses court battle
MUMBAI: Suspended Indian Premier League chief Lalit Modi was dealt a fresh blow Thursday after a court dismissed his plea to stay disciplinary proceedings initiated against him by India”s cricket board.
The Bombay High Court also rejected Modi”s demand that a three-member panel set up by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to probe a raft of allegations against him be reconstituted.
He has accused the current members — lawyer and politician Arun Jaitley, businessman Chirayu Amin and junior federal minister Jyotiraditya Scindia — of being biased against him.
The court”s order means Modi, 46, will have to appear before the panel here on Friday to answer allegations of corruption, indiscipline and money-laundering in the hugely successful Twenty20 league.
Modi”s lawyer Mehmood Abdi, however, said his client was out of the country and the next step would be decided after receiving the court”s order.
“It is not a setback,” Abdi told reporters outside the court. “The certified copy of the order will be with us by the end of day or early tomorrow morning and only then we will be able to plan our next step.
“I cannot comment on our strategy and further plan at the moment. Give us time to think about the next step we have to take.”
BCCI chief-executive Ratnakar Shetty welcomed the court order.
blackpool
May 23, 2010 by Trend PK
Filed under World News
Blackpool v Cardiff
Blackpool, in the bottom tier of the English soccer 10 years ago, secured a place in the Premier League with a 3-2 Championship playoff final triumph over Cardiff City at Wembley stadium on Saturday.
Striker Brett Ormerod hit the decisive goal in first-half injury time for the northwest England seaside club, sealing a return to the top flight for the first time since 1971.
As the final whistle saw Blackpool promoted to the Premier League, distraught Cardiff fans watched as the orange half of the stadium erupted and Bluebirds players fell to their knees.
And with the potential £90m promotion windfall lost in the Wembley sun, fears over the club’s financial security were raised again.
But it was a different story 30 miles down the M4, where Swansea City fans – cruelly beaten to the final play-off place by Blackpool weeks earlier – rejoiced in their bitter rivals’ failure.
One group of Swans fans had gone to watch the game yesterday dressed in shorts and flip-flops to support the North of England’s “Seasiders”.
The winner-takes-all game will also propel them into next season’s Premier League.
Blackpool striker Brett Ormerod hit the decisive goal in first-half injury time to seal a return to the top flight for the first time since 1971.
“I was delighted to be in front after going behind twice. I was convinced they were going to score at 3-2. Give Cardiff credit and us, with the help of the woodwork. I was hoping for this promotion and it was way beyond my wildest dreams,” The Independent quoted Ian Holloway, Blackpool manager, as saying.
“This hasn’t happened before and I don’t think it will happen again, with this budget we have,” he added.
The 90 million pound net worth would include television revenue of at least 40 million pounds, parachute payments of over four years, and 48 million pounds even after a possible relegation in the first season in the Premier League.
On a more positive note, trials allowing cyclists to take their bikes on the trams are expected to take place, although not until at least a year after the trams come into service (2012 say Edinburgh Trams).
Not that any bike hire scheme is likely to be quick off the mark. The council says a progress update to the transport committee is due in September.
Local cyclists seem still to be getting used to the new tram lines – Edinburgh Trams have had reports of one or two accidents on Princes Street involving bikes.
doris eaton travis
May 12, 2010 by Trend PK
Filed under World News
The oldest and last Ziegfeld girl died today. Her name was Doris Eaton Travis. She was 106.
One of the most thrilling moments in putting together my book, Historic Photos of Broadway, was writing the page I devoted to Eaton Travis. I even acquired the 8×10 glossy of her, age 16 or so, right after she joined the Ziegfeld Follies. How can you resist that image on the left? That’s about 1920.
Talk about an amazing life. She has earned her rest, admiration and love.
Here’s a statement from the PR firm Boneau/Bryan-Brown, which represents Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, the organization to which Eaton Travis was so good, remarkably so, for so long. I shall sing “A Pretty Girl Is Like a Melody” tonight — and think only of her.
Doris Eaton Travis passed away today at the age of 106. Ms. Travis was one of the legendary Ziegfeld Follies Girls and a longtime friend of Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS having made many memorable appearances in their annual EASTER BONNET COMPETITION.
In a statement on behalf of the family, Joe Eaton, Jr., Doris’ nephew, said, “Doris and her brother, my father Joe, had been working with Arthur Murray just after the war. She met Paul Travis in Detroit. They married in 1948. The work with Arthur Murray Dance Studio franchises really took off then and for the next 25 years. In 1972 they retired to Norman, Oklahoma and began Travis Ranch, a horse farm. But Doris always continued to dance, teaching privately, performing at local benefits and parties. She was thrilled when first invited by Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS to participate in the opening number of the first EASTER BONNET COMPETITION to be produced at the New Amsterdam Theatre where she had appeared in the Ziegfeld Follies over 70 years before. Doris loved coming back to Broadway for the event every year after – 12 times altogether. From 1998 – 2010, she only missed it in 2007. It became the highlight of her life. She adored dancing with the young dancers, seeing new shows and the incredible response from the Easter Bonnet audience and Broadway community. Life came full circle for her again and again and she said each year how much she loved everyone at BC/EFA for making it possible. Just this past weekend, she was talking about what she wanted to do next year. I know she’ll be there in spirit. Even from heaven, she wouldn’t miss it.”
In a statement, Tom Viola, Executive Director of BC/EFA, said, “Doris Eaton Travis was beloved at Broadway Cares. Since first meeting her in 1998 at the very young age of 94 when she appeared at the 12th edition of the EASTER BONNET COMPETITION at the New Amsterdam Theatre through the 24th edition which was held two weeks ago at the Minskoff – no matter her age when the stage lights hit Doris, she was instantly and forever young. Whether leading 30 Broadway dancers in a conga, playing sassy in a tux with the Cagelles, celebrating her 100th birthday on the New Amsterdam stage where she first appeared at the age of 16, teaching Sutton Foster “the Black Bottom,” or showing the young ballerinas from Billy Elliott the “Ballin’ the Jack” – a number she had introduced in 1921, Doris was simply a delight. Broadway loved her, giving her a standing ovation just two weeks ago that I know she took to heart and I’m certain has taken with her. Doris taught us all a little bit about how to celebrate the past and live for today. We will miss her forever.”
capello
May 12, 2010 by Trend PK
Filed under World News
Chelsea captain John Terry was undergoing a “precautionary scan” on his right foot after taking a knock in training.
Terry suffered the injury during a training session at the club’s Cobham complex and Chelsea stressed that he was “walking freely” after the incident.
But the injury scare will be a worry for Terry and Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup final clash with Portsmouth.
It will also be of concern to England coach Fabio Capello, who announced his provisional 30-man World Cup squad on Tuesday.
A statement on the Chelsea website read: “John Terry has today taken a knock in training and has gone to hospital for a precautionary scan on his right foot.
“He left Cobham walking freely in a protective boot, and we await the results which are expected on Thursday.”
Terry partnered Brazilian Alex in central defence on Sunday as Carlo Ancelotti’s side hammered Wigan 8-0 to win the Premier League for the first time in four years.
Should the Englishman miss out on Saturday’s final, Ancelotti would be likely to pair Alex with Serbian Branislav Ivanovic and deploy Juliano Belletti or Paulo Ferreira at right-back.
Terry, stripped of the England captaincy following allegations about his private life this season, was named in Capello’s squad alongside fellow centre-halves Rio Ferdinand, Jamie Carragher, Michael Dawson, Ledley King and Matthew Upson.
Should the injury rule Terry out of Saturday’s Wembley showpiece it would represent the latest in a line of pre-tournament injury scares for England.
Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney limped out of Sunday’s match against Stoke but, like Red Devils colleague Ferdinand, has received a positive diagnosis from his club.
Midfielder Gareth Barry is Capello’s biggest ongoing injury concern while David Beckham was ruled out of the tournament earlier this season.
In hauling Carragher out of retirement and naming King in his 30-man provisional World Cup squad, even though the Tottenham skipper cannot train due to a chronic knee problem, Capello was already signalling he was not entirely happy with his central defensive options.
Yet those concerns appeared to surround Ferdinand, who has been plagued by injury for much of the season.
To lose Terry therefore would be a major blow.
Even if he is no longer captain, the Italian still regards the 29-year-old as “a leader” and would undoubtedly be in his side for the Group C opener against the United States in Rustenburg on June 12.
In terms of the squad he announced, Dawson would be the obvious beneficiary if Terry is ruled out given he was not expected to be named in the final 23-man squad Capello has to submit to FIFA on June 1.
However, in terms of team selection, Capello would have to decide between King, Carragher and Upson, who was a regular stand-in for both Terry and Ferdinand during England’s successful qualifying campaign.
The irony of Terry being missing would not be lost on Wayne Bridge, given he withdrew from England duty in the interests of team harmony after Terry was alleged to have had an affair with his former team-mate’s ex-partner.
IPL chief to answer graft charges
NEW DELHI: Suspended Indian Premier League boss Lalit Modi was due to respond on Monday (today) to corruption charges that have sparked a government investigation into the glitzy, money-spinning cricket tournament.
The sport”s national ruling body, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), suspended Modi as head of the IPL pending its own probe into allegations of corruption, tax evasion and money-laundering.
He was also stood down as a BCCI vice-president and as chairman of the T20 Champions League, a separate club tournament organised jointly by India, Australia and South Africa.
Modi has run the IPL as a virtual one-man show since its inception three years ago, creating a heady and lucrative blend of star-studded Twenty20 cricket, big business and Bollywood glamour.
But Modi, a flamboyant and often divisive personality, has lost much of his support both within the BCCI, which owns the tournament, and the IPL”s governing council.
“I am going to reply personally because there is nothing to hide,” Modi was reported as saying by the Press Trust of India news agency on Saturday. “I have not gone anywhere. I have only been suspended.”
Asked if the IPL would be affected by his suspension, Modi said the league would weather the current storm.
“We have built a strong organisation,” he said. “I don”t think the IPL will suffer. I think we have enough competent people to run the organisation. It”s a very strong brand.”
Modi”s troubles began when he revealed the ownership details of a new franchise set to join the tournament in 2011.
He embarrassed a high-profile member of the government, junior foreign minister Shashi Tharoor, by leaking on the Twitter micro-blogging site how Tharoor”s girlfriend had been given a free stake in the new team.
Under pressure from the opposition, which accused Tharoor of misusing his office to secure benefit for himself, the minister was forced to resign.
Modi faced another scandal last week when it emerged he tried to divide world cricket by proposing a parallel event in England.
The plan, revealed by England”s cricket chief Giles Clarke in an email to Indian officials, involved English county sides playing an IPL-style tournament.
Modi held a secret meeting with officials from three unnamed counties in New Delhi in March to discuss the proposal without the knowledge of the concerned boards, according to the email.
Taxmen in India widen IPL probe
NEW DELHI: Income tax authorities swooped Wednesday on companies associated with the Indian Premier League as the government widened its probe of the cash-rich cricket tournament.
Tax raids were conducted on the Mumbai offices of Multi Screen Media and World Sports Group, the two companies handling the IPL”s television rights, the Press Trust of India (PTI) reported.
Premises of the Cricket Association of Bengal at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata were also searched “for IPL-related papers”, the news agency added.
The Directorate of Enforcement, an investigative wing of the finance ministry, has registered a case against the IPL for possible violations of foreign exchange rules and regulations.
The income tax department has summoned IPL officials on Friday to hand over all tournament paperwork, including details on television rights, sponsorships and deals with franchises and players.
The tax investigation began after a government minister was forced to resign on IPL-related corruption allegations and claims from the political opposition that the league was a front for money laundering and illegal betting.
Angry officials of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have blamed IPL chief Lalit Modi for the controversy and sought his removal.
Modi is the driving force behind the success of the IPL, which has seen its brand value surge to 4.1 billion dollars in just three short years.
The IPL, which began in 2008, features the world”s top cricketers playing a shortened format of the game known as Twenty20. There are eight franchises owned by India”s wealthy businessmen and film stars.
Two more franchises will be added from the 2011 season.
Modi brought down junior foreign minister Shashi Tharoor by revealing on Twitter the ownership structure of a new IPL franchise from his home state of Kerala that showed a free stake had been gifted to a woman identified by Indian media as the politician”s girlfriend.
Tharoor, a former top UN diplomat, was forced to resign on Sunday over allegations — which he strongly denied — that the stake was a kickback for his help in putting together the consortium that bought the franchise.
The furore led the main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party to demand an investigation into the IPL, which it labelled “the Corruption Premier League”.
Maradona hints at Munich line-up for WC opener
BUENOS AIRES: Diego Maradona said on Friday that Argentina”s line-up in their World Cup opener against Nigeria could be identical to the one which started the 1-0 win over Germany in a warm-up in Munich last month.
Maradona, speaking to local radio station FM Metro, said Argentina will play with four centre backs and Jonas Gutierrez and Angel Di Maria on the wings at the tournament in South Africa.
He added that 20 players were sure of a place in the squad for the finals starting on June 11. Argentina meet Nigeria in Johannesburg on June 12 in Group B which also involves South Korea and Greece.
“I tried out lots of full backs, I tried with (Javier) Zanetti, (Emiliano) Papa, and I finished up with four central defenders,” Maradona said.
He named Nicolas Otamendi of Velez Sarsfield and the European-based Martin Demichelis, Walter Samuel and Gabriel Heinze, who were his back four in the Munich friendly.
“I think I”m going to play like that, they”re the ones who give me guarantees at the back. They didn”t concede a goal and (Germany) didn”t create any goal chances,” he said.
Apart from the recently recalled Inter Milan defender Samuel, it was also Maradona”s back four in Argentina”s final qualifier, a 1-0 win over Uruguay in Montevideo in October that secured their place at the finals.
Maradona said Jonas Gutierrez, “who gave me a lot” on the right, and Angel Di Maria would be his wings as against Germany.
“I spoke to (Gutierrez) and reassured him that even if he went down to the C (third division) with Newcastle I was going to take him,” he said.
As it happened, Gutierrez helped Newcastle regain promotion to the Premier League from the second-tier English Championship at the first attempt this month.
Asked for more details and whether he had already settled on 20, Maradona ran through some of Argentina”s biggest names, saying: “”Masche”, Veron, Tevez, Messi, ”el Kun” (Sergio Aguero)…Yes, we”re there.”
Captain Javier Mascherano, Juan Sebastian Veron and Lionel Messi were in the team in Munich along with striker Gonzalo Higuain, who scored the goal.
Tevez was a substitute while Aguero had been an uncertainty for the World Cup with Argentina strong on strikers.
robin van persie
April 13, 2010 by Trend PK
Filed under World News
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has revealed that Dutch striker Robin van Persie will be in the squad to face Tottenham on Wednesday.
The 26-year-old has been sidelined for five months after rupturing ankle ligaments whilst on international duty last year.
His absence has been a big blow for the Gunners and they have failed to find a regular force up front since Van Persie’s injury.
But they are still in with a shout of Premier League glory and they travel to White Hart Lane to face Spurs in search of three points that would keep the pressure on at the top of the table.
Wenger expects the Holland international to feature during the North London derby, although he would not reveal if he would start.
“He will feature, he is in the squad for tomorrow’s game,” he said.
Asked if he would be in the starting XI, Wenger added: “It’s a bit premature maybe so I will see, but he’s in the squad, I haven’t picked the team yet.
“When I pick a player it means that he is fit and sharp and he has worked very hard.
“Of course he lacks a bit of match practice but physically he is ready, he is fit.
“There’s always a gamble, I don’t want to deny that, there’s always a gamble in such kind of decisions.
“But in his case we have been a bit more cautious because he has had a long time of preparation.
“He is a very important player at this club and he is important for the confidence of our offensive power and he is a player who can contribute as well.
“I am very happy to have him back. The sadness was that we lost him very early in the season.
“Of course we would have loved to have him for the whole season.
